Cork extractor

Abstract

The invention pertains to an apparatus for extracting a cork from a bottle comprising a cork-engaging member, including a corkscrew, and a holder for aligning and guiding the corkscrew, via its own diameter, with respect to the bottle. The corkscrew itself is improved by the provision of an outer layer of friction reducing material such as a tetrafluoroethylene or other suitable plastic. Additionally, the tip portion of the corkscrew is formed in an improved manner which prevents fragments of cork from breaking off and falling into the bottle even though the screw is driven completely through the cork. Also disclosed is an improved method of making such a corkscrew.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of forming a corkscrew comprising: a. forming a helix from a wire;   b. removing material from one end portion of said wire to form a pointed tip portion, said material being removed from surfaces of said tip portion which are generally upwardly facing when said helix is disposed vertically with said tip portion lowermost; and   c. leaving the downwardly facing surfaces of said tip portion substantially on lead with the downwardly facing surfaces of said helix.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said helix is formed prior to the removal of material from said tip portion. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein said wire is comprised of a metal. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of bonding a friction reducing coating of plastic to at least the downward facing surfaces of said tip portion. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4 wherein said friction reducing plastic is a polytetrafluoroethylene.